Fore!!! A Hike Takes Me to a Golf Course

One of the hiking groups to which I belong, put out a short, 4.5 mile hike for Saturday morning.  It was in the Tucson Mountains where I rarely visit.  Always found the trails kind of boring and having little variety.  I did not sign up for the group, just showed up and took off.  I cross a sandy wash.  Hard to imagine that a couple of weeks ago, water was roaring through here. The hill side beyond is bathed in sunshine.

Emerging from the wash, I encounter some funky looking Saguaros.  These mountains are covered in a healthy forest of Saguaros.  The root ball of this cactus is very small and in high winds, you can see them sway.  Amazing they stay upright.  Touching one is like touching steel.

After a couple of miles, the trail spits me out at the perimeter of Star Pass Resort.  I walk along the entrance road for a little bit before picking up another trail.  The trail system is well signed and I am glad for that.

I ascend the only real climb on the route out of Happy Canyon. Thinking it a Strava segment, I go hard but pause a couple of times to take pictures.  Damn!  Cost me 2 spots for pausing as I finish 6th.

Nice but not spectacular views.

I ascend and return to my car.  I noticed nothing unusual but later, police were called to the scene where several cars had their windows broken and valuables removed.  The damage must have occurred after I departed.  My "BH" bike was in the back seat so need to take it out prior to attending a hike. Returned home to watch another aggravating Buckeye game.  Don't like the noon starts as out here, kick-off is at 9am.